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“You feeling bad?” he asked, touching his son’s forehead. “No fever.”
Eli shook his head. “You look sad.”
Hunter looked at him. No point in pretending. “I am.”
“About what happened?” Eli asked.
Hunter nodded. “I thought I knew Jo. It’s hard when you think you know a person and then find out you were wrong.”
“I know.” Eli nodded, frowning at his game. “You’re disappointed in her.”
“And myself. Thought I was a better judge of character.” He sighed. “Jo was real important to me, Eli. I really loved her. Next to you, she’s what matters most. Losing her again, it hurts.”
“You didn’t love Mom?” he asked.
“You can love people differently, son. And Jo and I, we’re like puzzle pieces. I thought we still fit, but I was wrong.” He looked at his son.
Eli’s eyes were filled with tears. “You still love her?”
“Probably always will. But it’ll get easier in time.” He smiled, patting his son’s legs through the blanket. “What she did, well, it’s unforgivable.”
“Dad,” Eli’s voice was low. “I’m sorry.”
Hunter hugged Eli. “Let’s stop all this moping around and get up for dinner. It’s Christmas—time to celebrate.”
Eli climbed out of bed, then grabbed Hunter’s hand. “She didn’t do it. I’m so sorry. I know what I did was wrong. And bad. I want to fix it.”
Hunter looked at his son. “What?”
“I was scared. Mom left me in that hotel by the bar. I called Uncle Ryder and Uncle Fisher, but they didn’t answer. I found Mr. Stephens in the phone book and called Josie.” Eli’s words ran together, his nerves making things hard to understand.
Hunter sat on the edge of the bed, his heart pounding in his ears. Amy had lied about everything, from where she was staying to Jo. It didn’t surprise him that she’d lie, but Eli... He looked at his son.
“Josie came right away. The room heater was broken, so she blasted the heat in her car and told me it was all going to be okay. She said I was lucky to have you for a dad and brought me home. I told her not to call you ’cause you were working...”
Hunter shook his head. “You lied to me.”
Eli was crying. “Yes, sir. And it was wrong.”
“Why did you do it, Eli?”
“I was scared. M-Mom said you’d never let me see her again if you knew I’d been alone in the Roadside Motel. And she said Josie would take you away from me, that I’d be alone. Please forgive me, Dad.”
His heart ached, the fear and regret on his son’s face both a burden and a relief. “I forgive you. But no more lies, okay?” Hunter waited for Eli’s nod before pulling him against him. “You are my son. No matter what, you’re stuck with me.”
“I know.” His arms tightened around Hunter. “I know that. And I feel real bad for causing trouble between you and Josie. She’s really...nice. I like her.”
Hunter’s laugh was breathy. “I do, too.”
“I don’t want you to lose her.” Eli looked at his father.
Hunter closed his eyes. “Oh, Eli. Sometimes you can love a person and it still doesn’t work out.”
“I know. But not for you and Josie.” Eli tugged Hunter into the living room. “You need to go talk to her. I can go, too. I’ll tell her I lied. I’ll tell her why I lied.”
Renata and his father appeared, listening.
“It’s Christmas Eve, son. I want to spend time with my family.”
